Scars formed as a part of the natural healing process after any injury. The appearance of scar, and the treatment options depend on several factors. The depth and size of the wound or cut, location of the injury, age, genes, sex and ethnicity all will decide the treatment options and the time necessary for healing.

Different types of scars

Scars may be of several different types-

Keloid scars

These scars happen due to an overly aggressive healing process. Such scars may go beyond the original injury. In some cases, such kaloid scars may hamper movement of your body parts. There may be different types of treatment options available for such scars. Steroid injections, surgery or silicone sheets for flattening the scar may be used for treatment. Cryotherapy or freezing therapy where liquid nitrogen is used may also be used for treatment of such scars. Keloid formation can be prevented using pressure treatment or gel pads with silicone. It is mostly seen in case of people with dark skin.

Contracture scars

In case of burning accidents, such scars may form. They result in tightened skin and as a result may be difficult for you to move. Sometimes such scars may go deep and may affect nerves and muscles.

Hypertrophic scars

These are easy to find out as they are raised, red scars. They look similar to keloids but they generally do not spread beyond the boundary of the injury. For treatment of such scars, steroid injections for reducing inflammation and silicone sheets to flatten the scar may be used.

Acne scars

Scars may also develop due to acne problem. People suffering from severe acne may have those scars. Different types of acne scars are available such as deep pits, wavelike or angular scars which appear because of severe acne. The treatment of such acne scars will depend on the type of acne scars.

Available treatment options

There are different types of treatment options available for different types of scars.

Over-the-counter or prescription medicines

There are different types of over-the-counter or prescription medicines are available for treatment of scars. They are available in creams, ointments or gels. If you have any scars due to injuries or wounds, or if you have scars as a result of some surgery, you can always find some over-the-counter medicines for treatment of those scars. If such over-the-counter medicines are not available, there are different types of prescription medications available which will help you to treate your scars. Steroids or certain antihistamines are generally prescribed for treatment of teaching and scars. In case of people suffering from scars resulting from acne, the dermatologist may prescribe something suitable for that. Pressure treatment or silicone gel sheeting is also used for treatment of scars. They are mostly used as preventive care.

Surgical removal or treatment

In case of deeper scars, there may be other treatment options available such as surgical removal or treatment. Skin grafts, dermabrasion, excision, and laser surgery are some of the treatment options available. In case of skin grafts, the surgeon will use skin from another part of your body. It is mostly use in case of people who have burned scholars. Surgery is especially needed for scars that restrict movement. In such cases, sometimes surgery may be the only option available. However, before you go for any type of surgical removal treatment, you should wait for some time after your surgery because many scars fade over time and they are almost invisible to most of the people.

Injections

Steroid injections are also useful for keloids or hypertrophic scars.

References

1. The Scar Solution – Fast, Natural Scar Removal From Home
2. Acne treatments
3. Laser treatment for scars and wounds.